Catholic Seasons and Holidays
By Scott P. Richert, About.com Guide to Catholicism
Learn about the holy days and holidays of the Catholic calendar. Follow the Church through the liturgical year, from Advent through Christmas to Epiphany, from Lent through Easter to Pentecost. Explore the richness of Catholicism through the history of the Church's feasts and seasons, and learn more about the saints through celebrating their feast days.
Holy Days of Obligation
Learn more about the holy days of obligation, when Catholics are required to attend Mass, and find the dates of those holy days.
Moveable Feasts
Moveable feasts are holy days whose dates change from year to year, depending on the date of Easter.
Advent and Christmas
Advent is a time of spiritual preparation, both for the birth of Christ at Christmas and for His Second Coming, at the end of time. Over the centuries, the Church has developed Advent activities that help to keep us focused on renewing our spiritual life. Learn about the Advent wreath and other Advent prayers, and find Scripture readings for every day of Advent.
- What Is Advent?
- When Does Advent Start?
- When Should You Put Up Your Christmas Tree?
- When Should You Take Down Your Christmas Tree?
- Liturgical Calendar for Advent
- Family Activities and Devotions for Advent
- Scripture Readings for Advent
- Advent Scripture Readings for December 17 through December 24
- Preparing for Christmas With the Advent Wreath
- How to Make an Advent Wreath
- How To Bless an Advent Wreath
- How to Light the Advent Wreath
- Advent Wreath Prayer for the First Week of Advent
- Advent Wreath Prayer for the Second Week of Advent
- Advent Wreath Prayer for the Third Week of Advent
- Advent Wreath Prayer for the Fourth Week of Advent
- The O Antiphons
- The Saint Andrew Christmas Novena
- What Is Gaudete Sunday?
- Why Do Priests Wear Purple During Advent?
Lent
What is the season of Lent? Which holy days fall in Lent? How is Lent practiced throughout Catholicism? Find out more about Lent in the Catholic liturgical calendar.
- When Does Lent Start?
- How Are the 40 Days of Lent Calculated?
- Why Don't Roman Catholics Sing the Alleluia During Lent?
- Catholic Liturgical Calendar for Lent 2009?
- What Is Clean Monday?
- Ash Wednesday
- Holy Thursday
- Good Friday
- Spiritual Reading for Lent
- Tips for Lenten Reading With Your Children
- Fasting: A Powerful Spiritual Tool
- Abstinence as Spiritual Discipline
- Lenten Recipes
Easter
Many people think that Christmas is the most important day in the Catholic liturgical calendar, but from the earliest days of the Church, Easter has been considered the central Christian feast. Learn more about Easter and the traditions and customs surrounding the holiday.
- Why Did Easter Come Before Passover in 2008?
- What Is the Easter Duty?
- The Easter Homily of Saint John Chrysostom
Quick Dates 2009
Find the dates of holy days of obligation and other important feasts for 2008.
- When Is Epiphany 2009?
- When Is Mardi Gras 2009?
- When Does Lent 2009 Begin?
- When Is Ash Wednesday 2009?
- When Is Palm Sunday 2009?
- When Is Holy Thursday 2009?
- When Is Good Friday 2009?
- When Is Easter 2009?
- When Is Divine Mercy Sunday 2009?
- When Is Ascension 2009?
- When Is Pentecost 2009?
- When Is Trinity Sunday 2009?
- When Is the Feast of the Sacred Heart 2009?
- When Is Transfiguration 2009?
- When Is Assumption 2009?
- When Does Advent 2009 Begin?
- When Is Christmas Day 2009?
Quick Dates 2010
Find the dates of holy days of obligation and other important feasts for 2010.
